DAWA ZANGMO | Thimphu
The month-long Kathrid Empowerment and Kyilchog Dorji Threngwa at Kuenselphodrang in Thimphu concluded on 13 July, with thousands of devotees leaving the sacred gathering with a deeper understanding of Buddhist teachings and a renewed commitment to religious practice.
His Holiness the Je Khenpo presided over the concluding Tshokhor ceremony, marking the successful completion of the month-long religious programme that drew more than 30,000 devotees each day.
Over the course of the empowerment, Kuenselphodrang became a centre of faith and devotion as people from across the country gathered daily to receive the sacred teachings. Beyond participating in the rituals, devotees said the programme offered valuable spiritual guidance that strengthened their understanding of Dharma and inspired them to apply the teachings in their daily lives.
Throughout the teachings, His Holiness placed strong emphasis on practising Dharma, understanding the law of karma, and reflecting on the impermanent nature of life. The teachings encouraged devotees to cultivate compassion, mindfulness and personal discipline while remaining committed to the principles of Buddhism.
For many participants, the month-long empowerment was not only an opportunity to receive blessings but also a rare chance to gain significant spiritual knowledge directly from His Holiness. Many said the teachings deepened their faith and motivated them to continue practising after returning home.
Kinley Bidha, a 58-year devotee from Sephu gewog under Wangdue Phodrang, said attending the empowerment was both a joyful and emotional experience because of the uncertainty of life.
“The same empowerment will also be bestowed in Punakha. However, life is impermanent, so I feel both happy and emotional to have had the opportunity to participate here. Although the empowerment concludes today, I hope to receive the same empowerment again in Punakha,” Kinley Bidha said.
Many devotees said the teachings reminded them of the importance of making the most of every opportunity to receive religious instruction, recognising that such occasions should not be taken for granted.
Kinzang Wangdi, 60-year-old devotee from Phuntshothang gewog under Samdrup Jongkhar, said the month-long programme had given him both blessings and practical guidance for continuing his religious practice.
“Today marks one month since I received the empowerment. I feel truly blessed to have received the teachings and blessings from His Holiness the Je Khenpo. His Holiness instructed us to recite 100,000 mantras and perform 100,000 prostrations. I am committed to fulfilling these practices,” Kinzang Wangdi said.
For many participants, the teachings did not end with the closing ceremony. Instead, they said the guidance provided during the empowerment would continue to shape their personal spiritual journey through regular prayer, meditation and religious practice.
Lhendup Dorji, a devotee from Shaba under Paro dzongkhag, said the empowerment had brought together people from across the country and provided many, particularly those from rural communities, with an opportunity to receive the teachings and establish lifelong spiritual bonds.
“We devotees who have been receiving the empowerment here are deeply grateful and happy. With great devotion, we pray for the long life of His Holiness the Je Khenpo. For many of us from rural parts of the country, this has also been a valuable opportunity to receive the teachings and empowerment, and to form Dorji Puen,” Lhendup Dorji said.
Apart from receiving the teachings, many devotees also formed Dorji Puen, a longstanding Bhutanese tradition through which individuals become lifelong spiritual companions. The sacred bond, established during religious events, represents mutual support in the practice of Dharma and remains an important aspect of Bhutan’s Buddhist tradition.
The successful completion of the empowerment marked the end of a month during which thousands of Bhutanese devoted their time to learning, prayer and reflection. Many participants described the experience as spiritually fulfilling and expressed gratitude for the opportunity to receive teachings directly from His Holiness the Je Khenpo.
The religious programme will continue in other parts of the country. Teachings are scheduled to be held in Paro, while both the Kathrid Empowerment and Kyilchog Dorji Threngwa will be conferred in Punakha.
According to the organisers, only the teachings will be given in Paro, without the Kyilchog Dorji Threngwa empowerment, and the specific empowerment to be conferred there has yet to be confirmed. In Punakha, however, both the Kathrid Empowerment and Kyilchog Dorji Threngwa will be conferred in the same manner as they were at Kuenselphodrang.
His Holiness the Je Khenpo noted that the empowerment has been conferred for centuries and encouraged Bhutanese to continue receiving these sacred teachings to preserve the country’s rich spiritual tradition for future generations.
As devotees departed Kuenselphodrang following the concluding ceremony, many carried with them not only the blessings received during the month-long programme but also a stronger understanding of the teachings on Dharma, karma and impermanence. For them, the empowerment represented an opportunity to deepen their spiritual knowledge and strengthen their commitment to practising the values taught by His Holiness in their everyday lives.
